Looking ahead to the Year of Engineering 2018

In 2018, organisations from the world of engineering, construction, transport, education and many other sectors will be joining forces for the Year of Engineering. The Year of Engineering is a government-led campaign that will give thousands of young people an experience of engineering, showing them, their parents and teachers the opportunities that a career in the profession can bring.

Joining forces to tackle the engineering skills gap

The UK has a proud engineering heritage and world-leading technology, but a national shortage of engineering graduates means it’s more important than ever that we invest in skills and inspire young people. In 2018 organisations from the world of engineering, construction, transport, education and many other sectors will be joining forces to do just that.

More than 100 partners are already signed up and there’s still time to get involved – whether you work in the industry, or are a school, university, youth group, local authority or media organisation.

How will the Year of Engineering 2018 work?

The campaign will encourage young people to take a closer look at engineering, through events, activities and inspirational role models. Here are some of the ways that partners can get involved:

· Run initiatives and events for young people, parents and teachers – building on existing outreach work or creating new events.

· Join ‘open door’ programmes that let young people go behind the scenes to discover what engineers do.

· Put forward ambassadors, from apprentices to experts, who can speak in schools and get young people excited about a career in engineering.

· Share quotes and stories of how engineering is making a difference to showcase the variety and value of the profession.

· Inspire people from different backgrounds to enter the profession, and encourage other organisations to do the same.

· Use the Year of Engineering brand to bring together activities from across the industry and put engineering in the spotlight.

· Use Year of Engineering communications materials to be part of the conversation and drive participation and media interest.

· Share data and evaluation to build a picture of what the campaign is achieving throughout the year.

To find out more and register your interest, head to www.dft.gov.uk/year-of-engineering-2018